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Tag: USB

  • Google Launches Security Key For USB-Based Security

    Google Launches Security Key For USB-Based Security

    Google announced a new way to enhance its 2-step verification security called Security Key, which works through a USB device.

    Security Key, Google says, is for “particularly security-sensitive” individuals. Don’t worry. If you’re just a common user, and want to use 2-step verification, you don’t have to carry the extra hardware around with you all the time.

    Google explains in a blog post:

    Security Key is a physical USB second factor that only works after verifying the login site is truly a Google website, not a fake site pretending to be Google. Rather than typing a code, just insert Security Key into your computer’s USB port and tap it when prompted in Chrome. When you sign into your Google Account using Chrome and Security Key, you can be sure that the cryptographic signature cannot be phished.

    Security Key and Chrome incorporate the open Universal 2nd Factor (U2F) protocol from the FIDO Alliance, so other websites with account login systems can get FIDO U2F working in Chrome today. It’s our hope that other browsers will add FIDO U2F support, too. As more sites and browsers come onboard, security-sensitive users can carry a single Security Key that works everywhere FIDO U2F is supported.

    You’ll have to buy a compatible USB device from a U2F participating vendor, but it works with Google Accounts for no extra charge. You can find devices for sale on Amazon.

    Image via Google

  • SanDisk Makes Mobile Data Management More Convenient

    SanDisk Makes Mobile Data Management More Convenient

    Generally speaking, nobody is ever going to say it’s hard to move content between a smartphone and a PC. Every mobile device comes with a USB cable that can be plugged into your PC for easy transfer. While it may be easy, it can sometimes be inconvenient thanks to the USB cable being plugged into a wall outlet halfway across the room. For those moments, SanDisk is here with a convenient solution.

    SanDisk announced today that it wants to make file transfers between mobile device and PCs more convenient with the SanDisk Ultra Dual USB Drive. The little flash drive features a USB 2.0 connector on one end and a micro-USB on the other. It comes in sizes ranging from 16 to 64GB and is compatible with all mobile devices that support USB on-the-go.

    “The SanDisk Ultra Dual USB Drive provides a simple, convenient way to offload and backup files from smartphones and tablets – with the peace of mind that comes with the trusted SanDisk brand,” said Dinesh Bahal, vice president, product marketing, SanDisk. “This new drive integrates with SanDisk’s Memory Zone app to make freeing up space on mobile devices simpler than ever, improving the user experience.”

    Speaking of Memory Zone, SanDisk’s Android app allows you to access your smartphone’s internal and SD-card based memory for easy transfer and removal. Obviously, it will also support the Ultra Dual USB Drive when it comes to moving content from your phone to SanDisk’s newest flash drive.

    The SanDisk Ultra Dual USB Drive is now available in price ranges from $19.99 to $49.99.

    Image via SanDisk/Business Wire

  • USB 3.0 Adoption Still Slow Going in 2013

    For years now, computers and motherboards have been shipping with USB 3.0 ports. Though the capabilities are built out, the total market for USB 3.0 products remains slow.

    Market research firm TrendForce today revealed new USB 3.0 data, specifically highlighting the failure of the USB 3.0 flash drive market to take off. The firm estimates that market penetration for USB 3.0 flash drives will only hit 10% by the end of this year. This is based on second quarter numbers showing USB 3.0 flash drive shipments only topped 5 to 6 million units, with a market share of 5%. The report predicts that market leaders will soon take control of the USB 3.0 market segment.

    TrendForce blames the slow growth of USB 3.0 to both NAND Flash prices and the low cost of USB 2.0 manufacturing. However, next year could finally be the technology’s big year, with estimates of up to 25% market share in 2014 being thrown around. NAND Flash supply is predicted to improve starting in the second half of this year, and less costly USB 3.0 controller ICs are also slated to be released in the coming months.

    For now, the USB 3.0 market seems to be in a bind. According to the TrendForce report, slow acceptance of USB 3.0 is leading to business pressure on manufacturers. These same manufacturers are then squeezed to invest in the technology, particularly in the manufacturing capacities that would put USB 3.0 more in line with USB 2.0 manufacturing costs. These pressures, according to the report, will lead to a contraction where “5 or 6” major USB 3.0 controller IC manufacturers supply the majority of the market.

    (Image courtesy Rainer Knäpper via Wikimedia Commons)

  • CES 2012: USB 3.0 Coming to Tablets And Smartphones This Year

    CES 2012: USB 3.0 Coming to Tablets And Smartphones This Year

    The USB 3.0 standard has been around for several years now, but most smartphone and tablet devices have remained stuck with the older, slower USB 2.0. According to Rahman Ismail, chief technology officer for the USB Implementers Forum, that is about to change. Speaking at CES, Ismail said that MicroUSB technology would be available and coming to the smartphone/tablet market by the end of the year.

    The new technology offers data transfer speeds between computers and mobile devices of roughly 100 megabytes per second, or 800 megabits per second (Mbps). While that is not much compared to the nearly 5 gigabits per second available between PCs with USB 3.0, it is nearly double the 480 Mbps available for mobile devices with USB 2.0.

    Data transfer isn’t the only area of improvement, either. In most of our gadgets these days, USB does double duty: data transfer and charging. In addition to significantly faster data transfer, the newer standard also improves the power transfer speeds, which means faster charging for tablets and smartphones with the technology.

    [Source: PC World]